Companion Animals

Cat Pain Assessment: Using the Feline Grimace Scale

Cats are notoriously stoic pain hiders. The Feline Grimace Scale (FGS) provides a validated, objective tool for assessing acute pain in cats, improving veterinary and home care.

Key Facts

The Feline Grimace Scale was validated in 2019 and has been widely adopted in veterinary practice
FGS scores five facial action units: orbital tightening, muzzle tension, ear position, whisker position, head position
Each unit scored 0-2 with a maximum possible score of 10
Scores of 4+ indicate moderate-to-severe pain requiring intervention
The scale is reliable for trained assessors but requires practice to apply consistently
A free online training course is available through the Feline Grimace Scale website

Welfare Considerations

Before validated pain scales became available, cat pain was routinely underassessed and undertreated. Cats experiencing significant pain were often described as 'quiet' rather than 'painful'. The FGS allows anyone - including informed owners - to make objective assessments of their cat's pain level. Wider adoption of the FGS in veterinary practices and by owners represents a direct welfare advance that reduces the duration of unrecognised and untreated pain.

What You Can Do

Complete the free Feline Grimace Scale online training course
Use the FGS to assess your cat at home after any procedure or illness
Share the FGS with your vet if you believe your cat's pain may be underassessed
Advocate for FGS use as a standard of care in your veterinary practice
Contribute to research validating the FGS for chronic pain assessment